He Put a Ring on It…What’s Next?

As Beyonce’s lyrics blare through your I-phone, ‘Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it’–you are thinking, “He did put a ring on it!” Congratulations, future bride to be! What is next on the to-do list? A lot of wedding planning.

I can already hear the clinking glasses, endless questions from nosy family members, and feel the jealous stares all around. Your wedding day is coming! I’ve seen bride after bride put so much stress on this one day. Yes, it is a big day. Yes, you will remember it for the rest of your life. Yes, you are getting married. But, the real question is: Do you want to remember it as one of your happiest memories or one of your most stressful days? I’d go with happiest! Yet again, I am an optimist.

Step 1: Perception.

All is how you perceive it to be. Just look at this day as one big party where all of your friends and family come to celebrate the beautiful love that you share with your significant other.

Step 2: Aim for enjoyment–not perfection.

At the end of the day, who is really going to remember the tiny, hand-crafted bars of soap in the bathroom or the little name cards with gold writing? Yes, those are nice things, but they do not evoke real feeling. People are going to remember how your day made them feel. A bar of soap is not going to make you feel something that you’ll never forget.

Step 3: Music, food, and bar.

The big three! Good music, food, and an open bar are three things that can guarantee a fun-filled wedding. This day is your wedding, but if you think of it as a party–it will help you plan. If you were attending this wedding as a guest, what would you want or appreciate? More likely than not, you would appreciate some good food, a live DJ or band, and an open bar! And if something at your wedding does go wrong, you’ll be happy you booked the open bar.

Step 4: Do not stress on the little things.

Sometimes weddings put a lot of stress on future brides and grooms. This should be a happy celebration–not a strain on your relationship. So, do not fight about the table centerpieces or colors of your wedding. Keep open communication and collaborate–it is a day for two people…so there should be two people making decisions.

Step 5: Do what YOU want.

Do what you want! It sounds simple, but many of us get so wrapped up in the several suggestions and comments of family members, friends, co-workers, and total strangers. This day, as mentioned earlier, is a day for you and your significant other. You do not have to answer to anyone’s jabs or comments on what they think of what you should do on your wedding day. Heck, if you want, just tell everyone that they will have to wait and see until the special day.

Step 6: Be creative, silly, wild, and have a theme, if you want.

These are things that you can do if you want to. It is your wedding day. Maybe you have an idea for a theme that represents your relationship. Maybe there is a special song you two share, but do not think others would enjoy…so what? Yes, you want to be considerate of who will be attending, but you can throw in some things here and there that have special meaning for the two of you. It is your wedding day, after all.

Step 7: If you need help, ask for it.

Your family and friends are there for you. If you need help, ask for it. Remember to thank them, and stay calm if something goes wrong! No need for any bridezillas, plus–if you turn into one, you will only feel worse in that situation.

Step 8: Eat, drink, and be merry!

Eat, drink, and have fun! Make sure to enjoy the food at your wedding, enjoy dancing along to the DJ or band, and live it up. This day is not a day to stress over how everyone else is doing–many couples do this. Try to say hello and thank everyone, but make sure that you are enjoying your wedding and not spending all your time on pleasing others. An easy fix and suggestion would be to borrow the mic from the DJ or band and say thank you to all of your guests on stage. Personal hellos and thank-yous are nice and mean a lot, but you should not be worried all night about if you acknowledged every single person (especially if it is a larger wedding).

Step 9, 10, 11, and on…. Enjoy each day after this. Many say that this is the happiest day of your life, but this is only the beginning. You have many more happy and fond memories ahead!

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